Whether you want to pretend you are in Harry Potter, or just admire the historical architecture, there are some fantastic castles a short drive away from Newcastle.

They range from small secluded ruins, to giant fortresses on the hills to huge country estates which are still lived in.

We have compiled a list of 10 great castles and keeps you can visit which are all within an hours drive of the region.

1. Hylton Castle

The grounds at Hylton Castle, Sunderland

Hylton Castle was built by the wealthy Sir William Hylton as a gatehouse style fortified manor house before 1400 in North Hylton, Sunderland. The original highly distinctive and decorative gateshouse-tower contained four floors of self-contained family accommodation. It’s entrance front displays royal and family heraldry, including Richard II’s white hart badge.

The castle is now a shell of its former self and is a listed building, and with the chapel forms a Scheduled Ancient Monument, under the guardianship of English Heritage.

2. Prudhoe Castle

Prudhoe Castle

Prudhoe Castle was continuously occupied for over nine centuries and was originally the home of the Umfravilles. It was eventually taken over by the famous Percy family who restored it. The castle was built between 1100 and 1120 to defend a strategic crossing of the River Tyne against Scottish invaders, and survived two sieges during the 1170s. It was the only Northumberland castle to resist the Scots.

3. Tynemouth Priory and Castle

Tynemouth Priory

Tynemouth Castle and Priory, once one of the largest fortified areas in England, is located on a rocky headland, overlooking Tynemouth Pier on the North East coast. The moated castle-towers, gatehouse and keep are combined with the ruins of the Benedictine priory, where early kings of Northumbria were buried, which dominate the headland.

With its 2000 year history and beautiful views it is the perfect location for a family fun day out where you can enjoy the interactive ‘Life in the Stronghold’ exhibition which tells the story of the site from its original beginnings as an Anglo-Saxon settlement, an Anglican monastery, a royal castle, artillery fort and a coastal defence.

4. Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Belsay Hall comprises of three distinct but related elements: a medieval castle that was enlarged in the early 17th century, a Greek Revival mansion that superseded it as a family residence at the beginning of the 19th century, and an outstanding garden linking the two buildings.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the castle, including taking in the stunning views from the top of the tower; roam the fabulous pillars in the grand hall and walk around the huge grounds, packed with an impressive array of shrubs and flowers.

5. Aydon Castle

Aydon Castle

Aydon Castle is tucked away in a secluded woodland setting just one mile from the village of Corbridge in Northumberland. It is one of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th-century English manor house,

It was originally built as an undefended residence, but almost immediately fortified on the outbreak of Anglo-Scottish warfare. Nevertheless it was pillaged and burnt by the Scots in 1315, seized by English rebels two years later, and again occupied by Scots in 1346.

6. Warkworth Castle

Warkworth Castle by Ron Dobson (Photo: Ron Dobson)

The magnificent cross-shaped keep of Warkworth, crowning a hilltop rising steeply above the River Coquet, dominates one of the largest, strongest and most impressive fortresses in Northumberland.

It’s most famous owners were the Percy family, whose lion badge can be seen carved on many parts of their stronghold.

The castle is still roofed and almost complete, and the uniquely-planned keep dates mainly from the end of the 14th century. It now presides over the extensive remains of a great hall, chapel, fine gatehouse and a virtually intact circuit of towered walls.

7. Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunstanburgh Castle by James Davidson

Dramatic Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a remote headland in Northumberland and dominates one of the most beautiful stretches of Northumberland coastline. It was built at a time when relations between King Edward II and his most powerful baron, Earl Thomas of Lancaster, had become openly hostile.

Lancaster began the fortress in 1313, but unfortunately the earl failed to reach Dunstanburgh when his rebellion was defeated, and was taken and executed in 1322. Thereafter the castle passed eventually to John of Gaunt, who strengthened it against the Scots by converting the great twin towered gatehouse into a keep. The focus of fierce fighting during the Wars of the Roses, it was twice besieged and captured by Yorkist forces, but subsequently fell into decay.

8. Edlingham Castle

Edlingham Castle

Edlingham Castle is a small castle ruin, in a valley to the west of Alnwick, in Northumberland, England. The ruins are principally the solar tower, of a manor house progressively fortified against the Scots during the 14th century, which still stands despite an impressive crack running several stories down to ground level. The foundations and part of the walls of the hall house, gatehouse, barbican and other courtyard buildings are still visible, most dating from the 16th century.

9. Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle by David Skelly

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the country; home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percys, for over 700 years. It has a rich history brimming with drama, intrigue; from a gunpowder plotter and visionary collectors, to decadent hosts and medieval England’s most celebrated knight: Harry Hotspur.

In recent years it has also taken starring roles in a number of film and television productions, such as Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter films.

10. Durham Castle

Durham Castle

Durham Castle is a Norman castle which sits at the heart of Durham’s World Heritage site. The earliest surviving parts of the Castle date from around 1072 when William the Conquerer ordered the construction of a new fort.

It has been occupied continuously since the 11th century and has been home to University College, Durham since 1804. The castle is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students. The castle stands on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham’s peninsula, opposite Durham Cathedral.